Service des Titres de Circulation

Principle

Vehicles must undergo technical inspections to check that they are well-maintained and in good working order. What these inspections involve and how often they are to be carried out depends on the type of vehicle.

A letter will be sent to owners of vehicles registered in Monaco two months before the due date.

Dispensation to have the technical inspection carried out in France (excluding the Alpes-Maritimes region) may be granted in certain cases.

Inspections may also be carried out outside the statutory schedule, for example when a vehicle is being bought or sold.

When a private car or a commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 3 tonnes (excluding trailers with a GVWR of less than 750 kg) that is more than four years old is sold in Monaco, the seller must present to the buyer a technical inspection report dated within the last six months. However, if the vehicle is subject to annual or six-monthly inspections, the seller must present an approved technical inspection report dated within the last 12 or six months, as appropriate.

For vehicles sold in France, inspections must be carried out in France.

Vehicles which require inspection

All private vehicles (passenger vehicles) must be presented for a technical inspection four years after the date the vehicle was first put on the road. Subsequent technical inspections must then be carried out every three years.

Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), commercial vehicles with a total laden weight equal to three tonnes or more as well as medical transport vehicles are subject to annual inspections. They must be loaded when presented for inspection so that the brakes can be properly tested.

Taxis, chauffeur-driven vehicles and municipal shared taxis are subject to technical inspection before they are first put on the road in Monaco (with the exception of new chauffeur-driven vehicles that have never been put into circulation), and then every year thereafter.

Vehicles used by driving schools are subject to annual inspections.

Public transport vehicles are subject to technical inspection before they are first put on the road in Monaco, and then at least every six months thereafter.

Classic cars (more than 25 years old) are subject to technical inspection only before registration in Monaco or if they are sold within Monaco (report dated within the last six months).

The seller must present to the buyer a technical inspection report dated within the last six months.

Two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles are not subject to technical inspection.

Failure to present a vehicle

If the technical inspection has still not been confirmed by the due date, a formal notice of deregistration is sent by registered post with return receipt required. This letter states the date on which deregistration will take effect.

As of this date, the vehicle’s will be deregistrated from the plate number database in the Principality of Monaco.

This means that the car may no longer be driven and that the registration certificate and licence plates must be returned to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office.

This letter will be sent even if an appointment is scheduled, in which case it can be ignored.

Deregistration will nonetheless be applied if the technical inspection is not carried out by the date stipulated.

In the event of a follow-up inspection, the date of deregistration will be the date indicated on the report.

Requesting dispensation to have a technical inspection carried out in France

You may request dispensation to have a technical inspection carried out in France (excluding the Alpes-Maritimes region) by email (circulation@gouv.mc
) or by post. You must provide a justification for your request.

Following review of your request, you will receive a written response.

If your request is approved, you may have the inspection carried out in France (excluding the Alpes-Maritimes region).

If it is not approved, the vehicle must be presented at the Vehicle Testing Centre in Monaco by the date stipulated.

Vehicle testing centres in France may require you to present an EU certificate of conformity or proof of identification before carrying out the technical inspection, in accordance with French legislation in force since1 april 2010.

This certificate is only issued on request by the manufacturer or importer of the make in France.

It is up to you to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office receives a copy of the technical inspection report approved in France before the date on which deregistration will take place.

The expiry date will be the date on the technical inspection report issued in France.

Some of the statutory periods which apply in France are different to those used in Monaco, and may therefore be changed.

Depending on the faults to be corrected that are listed on the French technical inspection report (with no obligation to arrange a follow-up inspection), a separate technical inspection (which must be paid for) may be required in Monaco.